'Voted' .38SPL
'Preference' can be a variable thing, because the reason(s) may be based upon something factually relevant, or just someone's feelings. Kinda depends.
In
my case, for
this poll, I chose .38SPL, Not because of any particular attribute of the
caliber, but because I often choose to pocket-holster carry one or another of my S&W J-frames as retirement weapons. Sure, a couple of them are chambered in .357MAG (a caliber I've always liked), but I commonly carry .38SPL in them. It comes down to controllability, recovery and accuracy during rapid shot strings. Using +P, and sometimes standard pressure loads, simply offers
me an advantage, overall.
Now, that's just because I mostly pocket-holster the snubs. if I were going to talk (vote) about the belt guns I've carried for a few decades, it would be 9mm, .40 S&W, .45ACP or .357MAG (larger revolvers). The choice would depend on the day, really meaning the size/weight of what I was going to choose to carry. Since I've carried all 4 of these calibers as issued weapons over the years, I find all of them practical and satisfactory. Just depends what i feel like toting around on any particular day. I've certainly put in the range time to have gone through many ten's of thousands with all of them.
Now, while we all likely have our 'favorites', when it comes right down to it, handguns are still the definition of a compromise when it comes to defensive use of firearms. Long guns (shotguns and rifles) are usually more capable and 'more effective' in many ways, but they aren't easily carried and concealed on a belt, let alone in a pocket holster.
I've said it before ... when I was carrying issued .357MAG, 9, .40 & .45 duty weapons, I never felt particularly 'well-armed'. Just
armed. From my perspective, 'well-armed' began when I had the time to take the 870 from the rack in the veh, or in later days it would've been a rifle. Handguns were just ... convenient.
Different strokes for different folks, though.
